Lean Construction and Enhance Scaffolding Safety

Lean Construction and Enhance Scaffolding Safety

Lean construction is a comprehensive, systemic approach to commercial, industrial, and residential building projects. Lean construction combines operational research, practical development, and technology to the end-to-end design and construction process.

Lean construction principles were drawn from the manufacturing process to some degree. Construction differs from manufacturing in that it utilizes a project-based production process, rather than the more broader type associated product manufacturing.

At its essence, lean construction is focused on the alignment and “holistic pursuit of concurrent and continuous improvements in all dimensions of the built and natural environment,” according to the research study “Foundations of Lean Construction.” This includes design, construction, activation, maintenance, salvaging, and recycling.

The ultimate goal is to manage better and improve the construction process overall. The goal demands a consideration to customer needs coupled with a process that minimizes costs while all the while improving safety and optimizing value.

Lean Construction and Improved Worker Safety

As noted previously, there are a number of benefits to be realized via the utilization of lean construction. Included on the list of benefits associated with lean construction is improved worker safety.

There are a number of reasons why lean construction improves overall safety associated with a number of different ways. One underlying cause of injuries in a construction project is carelessness and negligence arising from rushing. That might sound fairly simplistic. However, time and again workers are left having to work faster than is prudent because a construction project is running behind schedule.

Thanks to lean construction, the possibility of a construction project running behind schedule is reduced. In some cases, construction project delays are minimized significantly. Because a project is kept on schedule, the prospect of workers being called upon to rush their tasks becomes far less likely.

Another reason why worker safety is enhanced via a lean construction protocol is that safety considerations are attended to by all participants in a project. From the early planning stages, every aspect of a construction project is analyzed thoroughly in a variety of different ways, including worker safety. In other words, with lean construction, worker safety is not something taken casually or even as something of an afterthought.

Lean Construction and Scaffolding Use and Safety

Nearly three-quarters of construction workers utilize scaffolding at some juncture during their work. The use of scaffolding in a construction project assists in underscoring how lean construction can enhance the overall safety of a construction project.

Thanks to lean construction, the manner in which scaffolding will be utilized in a project is closely examined. This process commences early on in the planning phase of a construction project.

Due consideration is given to the type of scaffolding that will be needed, who will be responsible for assembling a scaffold, and which employees or workers will be utilizing the scaffolding. The reality is that through a lean construction project, the focus on how, when, and where scaffolding will be utilized is more closely examined that otherwise typically is the case.

Lean Construction and Diverse Resources

When a project is utilizing lean construction concepts, the team involved in it tend to more likely to reach out of what might best be termed supplemental resources to support the efficient, safe completion of a building. For example, a contractor might take the step to access a variety of resources available via the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. This may even be the case if particular contractor, for some reason, doesn’t all within the province of OSHA. This can happen if a contractor is a particular small operator.

By taking this type of step, above and beyond the minimum required, a contractor, as well as other parties involved in a construction project enhance their own abilities to ensure worker safety. This includes safety associated with using a scaffold.

Lean Construction, Scaffolding, and Recurring Inspections

One area in which mistakes happen regarding scaffolding is the failure to inspect it during the course of its use regularly. In more than a few construction project, large and small, scaffolding is assembled and not further inspection of its stability occurs.

Lean construction practices call for a system inspection of equipment, including scaffolding. By incorporating recurring inspection schemes into an overall lean construction plan, the risk of injury when using scaffolding is reduced. Indeed, the risk of other types of injuries is reduced as well.

With more and more building projects involving lean construction, odds are that safety will be enhanced overall. This includes safety associated with the wide utilization of scaffolding in construction projects.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Abby Iron Doors. Abby Iron Doors specialize in designing and manufacturing wrought iron entry doors, wine cellar doors, windows and balconies for residential and commercial customers.